Despite sanctions, Russia has found ways to continue exporting its oil.
Tanker ships with Russian oil have been heading to ports in the European Union for several weeks, violating sanctions.
This was written by Greenpeace.
15 tankers belonging to the “shadow fleet” have already been identified. These vessels load crude oil in Russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas, in particular in Primorsk, Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk, and then head directly to European ports. EU sanctions prohibiting such transportation came into force in March 2023.
The tankers are suspected of helping Russia circumvent these sanctions by using vessels operated by other companies for transportation. Many of these ships are old and in poor condition, increasing the risk of accidents and oil spills, especially in the sensitive waters of the Baltic Sea.
Greenpeace's research also points out that since the start of the war against Ukraine, the number of tankers carrying Russian oil has increased by 70%, and the average age of the tankers used has increased from 8.9 to 16.6 years. This poses a serious threat to the environment and safety of maritime transport.
In addition, Russia uses the so-called “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions, allowing it to continue exporting crude oil despite international restrictions. Vessels in this fleet often have different insurance documents, which allows them to avoid scrutiny by Western insurance companies. Research has shown that about 1,000 oil tankers passed through the Baltic Sea in 2023, which is a record figure. This situation increases the risks for the German coast, as tankers pass through dangerous waterways such as Kadetrinnoe.
Recall that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has made significant profits from fossil fuel exports.
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